{The scene opens with Roxi sitting at her laptop after she has searched the apartment of Alan Robbins. Roxi continues to look up and search for anything regarding Robbins post-breakout.}
Vision – How's it coming?
Roxi – It’s not. I can’t find anything on Robbins after he broke out of jail. His apartment was clean. No sign of forced entry, the apartment was a mess but, the guy’s been in jail for so long that you wouldn’t know if he came back or not.
Vision – I thought you said the door was off?
Roxi – It was. But that wood almost crumbled under my hand touching it, it was so brittle and worn. The whole building was dilapidated.
Vision – Well, I mean, it is hard for convicts to get renters insurance these days.
Roxi – Very funny.
Vision – Well, maybe you have to go to the prison itself.
Roxi – I mean, maybe whoever helped him escape knew where he was going to go, but if the Rejects have him, then we need to find them.
Vision – That won’t be easy. It might even be impossible.
Roxi – Why? And why haven’t I heard of these guys before?
Vision – Because for the most part, they were regarded as a minor threat. We have most of their information, but those who fail out or are removed from Guild may be bitter, but they really don’t have the means to operate.
Roxi – But now there’s a bunch of them?
Vision – 35 members that we know of. But that’s pretty much all we have, names, and old addresses. They were all checked once they were removed, and most of them have moved away or simply disappeared. So, we figure it’s an underground operation, and might be literally underground, but so far, no one has been able to find them, and the strikes have been limited. We rarely even get wind of them until it’s too late.
Roxi – But they have, struck?
Vision – Yes. Though kidnapping is not the usual M.O. It’s usually homicide.
Roxi – Then they’re should have just killed Alan.
Vision – It makes me think that this could be a red herring, or that Alan is already dead in a ditch somewhere.
Roxi – But why go to the trouble of kidnapping him, then putting the logo in the wall, if you didn’t want him found?
Vision – Exactly. It makes very little sense that they would, unless they either wanted him found, or it’s not the Rejects at all. Maybe someone with knowledge.
Roxi – Or maybe someone... rejected by the Rejects?
Vision – That could be as well. I’ll see if I can get you any information on the Rejects outside of that. It is... kind of on a need-to-know basis.
Roxi – Well, I’m pretty sure I need to know, Vision.
Vision – Again, I will see what I can do, but I will make no promises.
Roxi – What’s so top secret about it?
Vision – I don’t really know. All I was told was that it needs approval.
Roxi – Well, that photo is all the proof I have, and that was carved pretty recently.
Vision – It may not be enough.
Roxi – I combed that place top to bottom, and I didn’t find anything that would help or hurt the theory. No signs of a struggle and that R carved into the wall. There weren’t clothes scattered or even the jumpsuit.
Vision – Again, I’ll see what I can do based on your report, but that’s all I can do for now.
Roxi – Well, I’ll send my findings in and see if I can dig up anything else.
Vision – Alright, talk to you soon.
Roxi – Thanks, Vision.
Vision – You got it.
{Vision ends the call from the wrist communicator and Roxi continues to study the photographs she took of the apartment as well as the logo as she types up her report. After a short while, Keira comes into the room, knocking and smiling.}
Keira – Hey.
Roxi – Hey.
Keira – How’s it going?
Roxi – About as good as it can be.
Keira – That good, huh?
Roxi – Yeah.
Keira – I just wanted to check.
Roxi – Hey... how are you feeling?
Keira – Much, much better. I feel like me again, for the first time in a long time.
Roxi – It didn’t wear off?
Keira – No. Not yet anyway. Now, I just gotta find something to do with this energy now. I trained 3 times already today and I’m still restless.
{Roxi looks at Keira, who has a sly grin on her face.}
Roxi – No. I have a lot of work to do.
Keira – What? I wasn’t suggesting anything.
Roxi – I know you, you are my wife.
Keira – I’m just saying I have way more energy now.
Roxi – And you have other things to focus on.
Keira – I know, but, maybe that time has come and gone. I did the best I could last week, and it didn’t mean anything.
Roxi – It did mean something, you just have build off of it.
Keira – I don’t know anymore, I feel like I’m at square one, I’m out of the tournament, and it’s just... frustrating, especially because now, I’m in the mood to fight again.
Roxi – You’ll figure it out.
Keira – What about you?
Roxi – I have a lot of other things on my mind.
Keira – Well, at the least the twins are gone.
Roxi – Back to where they should be hopefully.
Keira – That’s what Jean said.
Roxi – Jean also continues to hit on you at every chance she gets.
Keira – But she wouldn’t lie about it.
Roxi – Maybe not, but still.
Keira – Rox, you don’t have to be jealous of Jean. Yes I... I have some feelings for her, I guess. I’m not going to lie to you, but I love YOU. You know that.
Roxi – I do.
Keira – Then don’t get riled up about Jean. She’s just... full of that stuff.
Roxi – Fine. I’m just saying, she can’t always be trusted considering she might just have alterior motives.
Keira – She’s harmless.
Roxi – Not entirely, but let’s just... forget that part.
Keira – Agreed.
Roxi – The point of this, is that you can only control what you can control. You maybe just got dealt a bad hand in facing Dani. Dani is good. You just have to pick yourself up.
Keira – Maybe. Maybe not. I don’t know anymore.
Roxi – We’ll take some time, think about the future.
Keira – Good. But now it seems I have too much time on my hands and there’s so much I want to do.
Roxi – Well, what about a patrol later tonight?
{Keira ponders this for a few seconds and then shrugs.}
Keira – Actually, that does sound like a good idea. I haven’t done one in months. And after the stuff with the twins... it did feel good to be back out there.
Roxi – Good.
Keira – But what about your stuff here.
{Roxi sighs.}
Roxi – I’m kind of at a dead end right now. If my only lead is dead, and this new group is real, then we have a bigger problem on our hands and I’m not sure what the best course of action is. But if he’s not dead and this is someone else then it gets even muddier. I hate having to wait around for anything to come up, because that usually means people get hurt, or die before we have a chance.
Keira – And did you find anything on Amelia?
Roxi – No. No sign of her either. And that’s what’s even worse. Because I don’t know if she has any connection to this outside of the guy who’s missing.
Keira – Maybe she killed him.
Roxi – That would mean she knows who the Rejects are.
Keira – Who?
Roxi – Exactly, Vision explained it all but it could just all be a red herring. That’s what makes this so confusing.
Keira – I’m sure you’ll figure it out.
Roxi – I hope so.
Keira – Also, I am hungry.
{Roxi smiles and nods, almost laughing at Keira.}
Roxi – Yeah, you’re back to normal alright.
Keira – I know.
{Roxi and Keira head off to make dinner as the scene fades.}
{The new scene is Roxi and Keira finally out on patrol together after all the time Keira spent away. They fly around the city, looking over and down as the city slowly fights to come back to life. But it isn't long before they see on a rooftop the giant "R" logo looking painted into the roof. Roxi and Keira instantly fly down, and in the middle of the logo, which appears to have been painted by blood, is a corpse. Roxi and Keira instantly go to the check it.}
Roxi – He's dead.
Keira – Smells like it too.
Roxi – Probably a couple of days up here. Out in the sun.
Keira – Looks like your little group is real.
Roxi – Yeah... maybe. Alright, well, we need to set up a crime scene, how's this for your first day back?
Keira – Hopefully not a sign of things to come...
{Roxi and Keira begin to set up their crime scene as the scene fades.}
“That's what I love about this city. Every time I need to hit someone really, really hard, some jerk steps up and volunteers”
Spider Man (Son Of M Vol 11)
Hello SCW.
I come to you once again and as always content, but not satisfied. I am happy to have won a couple of weeks ago. And again, against rival Jessie Salco and I haven’t heard otherwise regarding our friendship, so I assume all is well. Then again, it should be that all is well considering that she, despite me winning two weeks ago, will be placed into the Internet championship tournament in a match this week. And while I’m on the subject, it did feel great to hear your cheers again. It really meant a lot to hear you again. Sorry, no more sidetracking. As I was saying about two weeks, ago though I have made my intentions clear, I don’t desire the Internet championship, but the Bombshell’s championship. And I’m a patient person, I’ve never needed to rush, in fact that’s what has cost me in the past, so now, I’m not rushing into a championship match. I said I would earn this chance, and there would be no one who could argue it, or stand in my way. And I meant that, that means I have to take on all comers, and beat them. There is no simpler root to get what I am after. Well, I suppose there are easier routes, apparently if you just ask for it, or you demand it, or you rely on past accomplishments, sometimes, you can get what you want that way. I have never been one to do that, so those roads, I’m not going down.
I instead laid this path out, and wanted to see if anyone would try and deny me. And so far, the biggest threats, appear to be doing something else now. And that’s okay. I’ve always been a little unassuming in life. I never seem to be mentioned as someone’s greatest opponents or get talked about like I’ve done anything important. And you know what, that’s okay. Because it just makes it all the sweeter and satisfying when I do what I set out to do.
And I know that Amber is watching. I know that Myra is watching as well. I hope that they understand that while their match is going to be important, at the end of the day, I’m still going to be here, still waiting for one of them to emerge, so that I can make that challenge, and nobody will be able to say I didn’t earn it, and I didn’t do what I said I was going to do.
Now, maybe some people will argue I didn’t beat anyone of important so far. Char Kwan, Seleana, & Jessie Salco are nothing to sneeze at, but that’s what the detractors will say. I can sit here and challenge Crystal, or Alicia or Evie, or anyone else I really want to. But that’s never been me, and they all want to go through their own things, I guess. But that’s okay, I actually prefer that. Not that I’m trying to avoid them, I’ve already fought Alicia and Crystal countless times, and... well... Evie is something of a wishlist match for me, and now, is just not the time for a match of that magnitude. I have something I’m trying to do, so that is the focus and so that’s where my head is.
I do appreciate that Candy was kind enough to book me in this match this week, she has always been so sweet and a genuine friend to me, and to Keira, and I am happy to see her get a nice promotion and get some power and authority. It’s actually really cool to see. Candy has been so great. Does she get a little carried away with the glitter and stuff? Maybe, I guess, I know it’s clearly not everyone’s cup to tea, but I wouldn’t have Candy be any other way. She’s great, even if she gets on some people’s nerves. I mean, not mine, she’s been right there, taking up for Team Hero and becoming a part of it, and never blinking at the crazy stuff she got involved in. That kinda came with the territory, I guess. One day you’re shooting glitter bombs and the next you’re dodging chainsaws and fighting demons. And here I am, rewarded, I supposed with a 4 corners confetti cannon match. Well, I guess, at least it’s not only glitter. It’s gonna be a pain to wash out of my clothes afterward, but that’s a small price to pay when it comes to getting another victory.
And apparently, Candy has an issue with my opponent this week, so I’m assuming that’s why the match was made in the first place. Candy wants to see Bea Barnhart lose. It even said so in the match card write-up.
So that brings me to Bea, herself.
I don’t harbor the same ill will towards Bea that Candy does, although judging by her promotional material for this match, Bea seems to have some kind of issue with me. And I’m okay with that, I know that there’s people out there who just don’t care for me, or the things I do. I get flack almost every week for posting on twitter, but I’ve come to almost revel in it, and at this point, I'm almost disappointed if I don’t get anything. But people should know by now that words aren’t as effective on me as they may think. I will always continue to do what I do, because people enjoy it. I’ve spent most of my adult life doing things for other people so at this point, that’s what I’ll do, regardless of who enjoys it or who gets bent out of shape about it. If Bea is such a person, so be it, it will not take away from what I need to do, and that’s win.
Bea has never been short on her words, and really, her actions speak for themselves. She has been a constant thorn in the side of many people in SCW, always down to bring the fight, and that’s what I expect from Bea this week. I don’t expect a match of skill, I expect a fight. I expect Bea to come at me full force and try and take me down, and I am fully aware, that if I am not careful, Bea is more than capable of putting of hurting on me as much as anyone else she gets into the ring with. But I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge, and that’s not going to stop because someone talks a big game. I’ve been here long enough and seen them come and go, and who’s been more bark than bite. It’s been almost 10 years of me being in SCW. I have become the constant. I have become almost the last original here. People have moved on, and I have gone away only briefly, to focus on raising my son when he was born. Besides that, I’ve been here, putting in the work, but not always all the work needed to get where I should be. And now, after all this time, I have become better each and every year, each and every time I step out from the curtain. I have adapted and overcome more times than naught. I have risen above when the time has called for it. Perhaps this is one of those times.
I do not take Bea Barnhart lightly because her record isn’t spotless, heck, nobody’s is. I instead saw and heard the fire and the passion in Bea’s voice as she talked about me, and that is exactly what I want. Because Bea shouldn’t just be laying down for me, she shouldn’t be intimidated by me, she should want to beat me, and help herself. Though the last person to really want to do that, did nothing with it, but I think that Bea would be far more willing to use that to get herself back into title contention. It’s not Bea hasn’t had her share of success, it wasn’t that long ago that she was part of the mixed tag team champions, so it’s not like she’s done nothing this entire time. She has tasted that success, seen her name in lights, and now she’s eager to get back into that spotlight. Goodness knows it can be very intoxicating.
But, for Bea, that’s not going to happen this Sunday. Not in the slightest. Will she give me a fight? Absolutely. Will she give me everything she has? I hope so. But at the end of the day, it’s not about the fight so much in this match. This is about touching the four corners and popping those confetti guns, and all it takes is one mistake, regardless of how bad Bea wants it. I know that she knows she’s going to have to pull out all the stops, and be aggressive. That’s great, I want that. I want Bea to give me her best, because it’s going to make the win that much sweeter. Skills and abilities are one thing, but in a match like this, it takes strategy just as much. And I have proven time and time again that in a pinch, I have been able to adapt on the fly in situations just like that. It’s not conventional, but then again, neither am I.
This Sunday, I’m going to beat Bea Barnhart and I’m going to collect another victory. And then, I will play this little waiting game and when the time is up, I will be right there, where I’m supposed to be. And Bea Barnhart, will learn like so many others are these days, that you have to obey the rules in my house. I have made this place mine, and if Bea wants to get rowdy and out of hand and mess everything up, she can just as easily be removed and no longer be allowed to be a guest in my house. Once again, I’m going to some house cleaning.
I hope that Bea is ready, because I will be. I look forward to seeing all of you in person, once again. It’s good to have you all back. So now, I can say it and it has much more meaning...
I will see you all there. 
